Page 8 of Tied to You

A friend?

I know the look on my uncle’s face. I see it every day. Disappointment.

“Cancel.” I immediately wonder why the fuck those words chose to fly from my mouth. Apparently, so does Mollie given our little standoff moments ago.

“What?” she says stunned.

I straighten my spine trying to mask the fact I feel the exact same way. “You heard. Cancel your plans.”

Mollie’s jaw drops as Mick’s head turns to me.

“You’re new here. Will do you some good to get to know who you’re working for.”

“I’m busy,” Mollie snaps, before she smiles apologetically at Mick.

He smiles back with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“What time are you meeting your friend?” I ask her.

Her eyes jump between me and Mick. “Eight,” she fires back.

Just as I go to open my mouth, Mick pipes up. “What time’s Dean back?”

My eyes snap to Mick’s.Eight.“What?”

“Take Mollie with you.”

I laugh. He can’t be serious. “You’re joking with me, aren’t you?”

Mick scratches his head. “No, boy. I’m serious.” He looks at me blankly. “Since neither of you want to join me and your aunt, you can take Mollie with you to meet Dean.”

“Uh, no, that’s not necessary. I can cancel, Mick. I’d love to hang out with you and Janette.”

Mick smiles as Mollie tries to backtrack. “Too late. We’ll do another night.”

Scowling, I cross my arms. “Clubhouse ain’t the right place for no little girl.”

I feel the wood hit the back of my head before I see Mollie’s arm swinging.

“Good job I’m not one of those.”

“Alright you two.” Mick steps closer to us both like he’s refereeing.

I wipe the back of my head checking for blood.

“You can show Mollie around.”

I roll my fingers together, sighing on a breath. “Uncle Mick, I’m twenty-five. You did a good job, but I don’t need you trying to be a parent no more.”

Mick laughs. “You ungrateful shit. I know I’m no parent,” his eyes gleam with remorse, “but as your boss, you’ll listen. Mollie needs showing around.Only man I trust to look after my new—unexpendable,employee, is you.”

Not my boss for much longer.

Mick turns before looking back at us both standing frozen. “You’ll take Mollie, then I expect you both here tomorrow early doors. Blackjack’s about to pop, I need you here.”

Mollie reluctantly nods her head, watching Mick as he walks away. “You’re a dick, you know that?” she hisses once he’s out of ear shot.

I frown. “You’re the one who upset him. Couldn’t you have just said yes?”